Carlisle United are delighted to welcome defender George Tanner on a two-year deal as he becomes the club’s first summer signing.
Blackpool-born Tanner, 20, joined Manchester United as a youngster before earning a place on their scholarship programme. He went on to sign his first professional contract with the Red Devils in January 2018.
He enjoyed a fruitful loan spell with Morecambe through the first half of the 2019/20 campaign where he made a total of 29 appearances in all competitions.
Manager Chris Beech said: “I’m delighted to be able to bring George in.
“He comes to us with tremendous pedigree, having been at Manchester United since he was 8, and having progressed all the way through their system, as well as representing England through the various age groups.
“George is naturally a right back, but he can also play further forward, or as a left back. He’s strong in his one against one situations and has pace, power and strength to get forward.”
“Our football club worked hard to recruit George,” he continued. “I became aware of him when he played for Manchester United and he really impressed me when he went to Morecambe on loan last year, playing the number of games he played in just half a season.
“I actually watched him at Morecambe on a handful of occasions before I came to Carlisle. He was arguably one of their best players at the time and, had he stayed, I’d have expected him to pick up their player of the season award.
“What supporters don’t see, or hear, is that George pushed for that loan move. He was determined to go and play men’s football rather than sit in the safety of the U23’s football and bide his time.
“George, like most of his peers was made available at the end of last season, and he could have gone to a couple of Championship sides and joined their squads. He didn’t want to do that because he wants to play.
“He wants to build on the games he’s already clocked up and play for the three points.”
On getting the move over the line, he commented: “Les Parry at Manchester United should take some credit for fighting our corner, because I know George respected his view with regards to his options, and whether Carlisle was going to be the best place for him to come and develop, under my guidance.
“David Holdsworth has also been very good in supporting our acquisition of George with a longer-term contract and for being a key player in championing our ambitions for the club to George, and for explaining how we will look to develop him as player.
“George is only 20, but has already banked vital experience from that first loan move. He’s another that wants to push on, win football matches and get better. With our support he’ll do just that.”
